Training courses for council employees

Courses available to staff in 2025 to 2026

Take a look at our varied programme for the year ahead, but please note that we may add additional courses throughout the year. If you require support booking onto these courses, contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

January 2026

Leading with your Head and Heart (this session will be delivered in Welsh)

12 January: 10am to 11am

In this interactive "nutshell" workshop you will be introduced to the concept of "Head and Heart Leadership".

The workshop is an introduction to emotional and logical perspectives on leadership and explores the benefits and challenges of both. You will explore how balancing intellect, and emotional connection can impact on relationships, decision making and outcomes in the workplace.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

Emotional Intelligence (this session will be delivered in Welsh)

14 January: 10am to 12pm (midday)

This interactive session offers an introduction to Emotional Intelligence (EI) and why it matters in leadership.

We'll explore what EI is, how it differs from IQ, and why it plays such an important role in how we show up at work. Together, we’ll reflect on how developing greater emotional awareness and understanding can help us lead more effectively, especially in challenging or fast-paced environments.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

HR Session – management induction programme

14 January: 10am to 12pm (midday)

Mandatory for new managers. Includes attendance management, one to ones, mental health, Ask and Act.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Safer recruitment and equalities, diversity and inclusion

15 January: 10am to 11:30am

Mandatory for new managers.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Social Care Wales Well-being Week

19 to 23 January

Social Care Wales have put together a programme of online events available to the whole workforce to learn about wellbeing and share best practice. These event topic range from ‘supporting stress and anxiety at work’, ‘leading with emotional intelligence’ through to ‘the power of storytelling at work’.

View events and book your place via Well-being Week 2026 - Social Care Wales (external website).

Effective tax planning for higher earners

28 January: 10am to 11:15am

What you will gain from attending this course:

a clear understanding of income tax and National Insurance
insight into tax issues that disproportionately affect higher earners, including the impact on Child Benefit and Tax-Free Childcare
clarity on pension tax relief, how to optimise pension contributions, and manage the Annual Allowance
an understanding of tax when accessing pension benefits
awareness of upcoming Inheritance Tax changes on pensions (effective 2027)
practical, actionable tax planning tips tailored for high-income individuals

Book onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

February 2026

Mental Toughness (Approaching Senior Leadership/Early Career Leaders)

3 February: 10am to 1:30pm

Our mental toughness workshop is a half day workshop where you will be introduced to the concept of mental toughness. You will explore the differences between mental toughness and mental sensitivity and how they both can bring value in the work setting.

The workshop will explore the 4 C’s of mental toughness – Control, Commitment, Challenge and Confidence. This will include practical and actionable development tips. You will also explore the relationship between mental toughness and leadership.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

11 February: 1pm to 3:30pm (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

Leading with your Head and Heart (this session will be delivered in Welsh)

12 February: 10am to 11am

In this interactive "nutshell" workshop you will be introduced to the concept of "Head and Heart Leadership".

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

March 2026

HR Session – management induction programme

3 March: 1pm to 3pm

Mandatory for new managers. Includes attendance management, one to ones, mental health, Ask and Act.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Leading Across Systems: Unleash Your System Leadership Potential (this session will be delivered in Welsh)

18 March: 9:30am to 4:30pm

Are you ready to tackle the complexity of today’s public service challenges? The Leading Across Systems one day workshop is designed for forward-thinking professionals who want to make a meaningful difference in the Welsh public sector.

This one-day interactive workshop will guide you through the latest thinking and practical approaches in systems leadership, helping you navigate political environments, foster innovation, and lead collaboratively across organisational borders.

Book onto this course via the Academi Wales website (external website).

This course is provided by Academi Wales.

April 2026

Safer recruitment and equalities, diversity and inclusion

22 April: 1pm to 2:30pm

Mandatory for new managers.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

22 April: 4pm to 5:30pm (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

May 2026

HR Session – management induction programme

7 May: 10am to 12pm (midday)

Mandatory for new managers. Includes attendance management, one to ones, mental health, Ask and Act.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

June 2026

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

16 June: 9:30am to 12pm (midday) (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

July 2026

Safer recruitment and equalities, diversity and inclusion

7 July: 10am to 11:30am

Mandatory for new managers.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

HR Session – management induction programme

8 July: 1pm to 3pm

Mandatory for new managers. Includes attendance management, one to ones, mental health, Ask and Act.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

August 2026

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

26 August: 9:30am to 12pm (midday) (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

September 2026

HR Session – management induction programme

8 September: 10am to 12pm (midday)

Mandatory for new managers. Includes attendance management, one to ones, mental health, Ask and Act.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

Effective tax planning for higher earners

17 September: 10am to 11:15am

What you will gain from attending this course:

a clear understanding of income tax and National Insurance
insight into tax issues that disproportionately affect higher earners, including the impact on Child Benefit and Tax-Free Childcare
clarity on pension tax relief, how to optimise pension contributions, and manage the Annual Allowance
an understanding of tax when accessing pension benefits
awareness of upcoming Inheritance Tax changes on pensions (effective 2027)
practical, actionable tax planning tips tailored for high-income individuals

Book onto this course via linc

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

October 2026

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

7 October: 4pm to 5:30pm (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

Safer recruitment and equalities, diversity and inclusion

22 October: 1pm to 2:30pm

Mandatory for new managers.

To book a place please search for the course in the Learning section on iTrent Employee Self Service or contact hrdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

The course is provided by Denbighshire County Council.

December 2026

Planning for a positive retirement (LGPS session)

8 December: 1pm to 3:30pm (LGPS)

Retirement might be up to 10 years away but it’s never too soon to start planning. This course is perfect for anyone thinking about retirement or already at the planning stages.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead
maximise the benefits of your State and workplace pensions
make the most of your tax-free cash
understand the income options available from your pension
achieve your retirement goals

Book a place on the retirement course (external website)

This training is provided by Affinity Connect.

We partnered with GMB, UNITE, and UNISON to secure funding from the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) to enhance employee learning and skills. This collaboration promotes broader training participation, supports tailored workplace training, and fosters employee development, accessible to all, regardless of union membership.

In-house or bespoke training

We can also offer bespoke training for departments as and when there is a specific project / need and can tailor the training to suit specific service needs. Look out for various training opportunities and if you would like more information or interested in any qualifications and training please contact HRdirect@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Dedicated union learning opportunities

If you are a member of the union you may find other qualification and courses that you may be able to attend or be able to apply for. Please see their dedicated learning pages below: